Route: Mayflower Gulch is a short, easy out-and-back up a scenic gulch Start/Finish: The trailhead is located on highway 91 between Leadville and Copper Mountain. The parking lot is just under 6 miles from Copper and will be on the left. Mayflower Gulch seasons: hike it in summer/fall; ski or snowshoe …

When it snows in June in Summit County, we typically remind ourselves that we need the water. We’re simply putting on that brave face, the one that’s so ready to unleash a stream of expletives over weather that’s not atypical for 9500-plus feet. Long after most of the country has …

We went to Keystone Saturday and saw two stages of the Big Mountain Enduro. After tasking myself with the goal of getting one decent shot of each of Eric’s friends, I succeeded (sort of). Check out my best shots of the boys, plus a few more. I still need some …

It seems dramatic, but I’ve been dazzled. A recent trip to Barbados re-lit my fire for travel. The heat never died, but a little breeze was all it took to fan coals into major flames. I get to write at work (awesome), but I suppose I’m inspired to start writing …

Merriam-Webster online defines crapshoot as “something that has an unpredictable outcome”. Planning outdoor adventures in Colorado’s high county over the Memorial Day weekend is typically just such a venture. Comments comments

Why wait for a week or two off work? Go overnight. Living in Colorado makes this bike touring motto especially easy. Some would argue difficult, as for the most part in Summit County, the only two route options are uphill and downhill. And with one comes the other. Regardless, there …

Route: Loop on Lower Flume, Middle Flume and Upper Flume Start/End: Flumes trailhead on County Road 450, near the Breckenridge Recycling Center Flumes Trail Season: Summer and fall (running, mountain biking), provided there’s not an excess of moisture*; some areas popular with cross country skiers in winter *Please be …

Like many residents of Summit County, Colorado, I spend much of my summer exploring the expansive trail network our home has to offer. With the local trails seeing so much use, it’s important to go beyond respect and give back with a little (or a lot of) manual labor. Several …

Route: Highway 6 east toward Keystone and up Montezuma Road Start/End: Out and back from Dillon, Colorado Season: spring, summer and fall; Montezuma is a great spring ride when trails are still snowy and the major roads are majorly dusty Vandalism probably shouldn’t make me smile, but I’ve always appreciated …

Route:Highway 9 north from Silverthorne and up Ute Pass Road Start/End: Out-and-back from Dillon, Colorado Season: Highway 9 / Ute Pass is typically rideable year round, but it’s best in winter and spring when everything else is snowy or wet Comments comments

It seems many of the aerobic freaks who win randonee events also Nordic ski. Also, many cyclists use it for cross-training in the winter. It’s not my goal to become an aerobic freak or race bikes, but staying fit while playing outdoors (rather than in a gym) is pretty appealing. …

With the first of Arapahoe Basin’s five dinner events behind us, I figured it was about time to post the dates of the remaining four. Really, I was just procrastinating on registering for the January event and wanted to secure our spots before I shared with the rest of the …

Route: Straight Creek trail from Dillon Valley toward the Eisenhower and Johnson tunnels Start/End: Out and back via trailhead accessed from Forest Rd. 51 and multiple neighborhood trails around Dillon Valley Season: Year-round My personal athletic accomplishments have always been a result of stubbornness rather than physical prowess. Though close …

UPDATE: You’re diving into the archives! Be sure to see the site’s best face by visiting the home page, ColoradoSummitLife.com. Route: Swan Mountain Road loop, clockwise around Lake Dillon Start/End: Dillon, Colorado Season: Spring-Fall Since I started mountain biking in Colorado (last season), I’ve definitely been splitting the time I …

For the second year in a row I went online at exactly noon on exactly the right date to secure entry for myself, my husband and my dad in the Triple Bypass. Hosted by Team Evergreen, this 120-mile supported, organized road bike ride summits three well-known mountain passes in one …

Route: out-and-back up the west side of Loveland Pass Start/End: Dillon, Colorado Season: Spring – Fall One of the many, many great things about living in Summit County, Colorado is the overwhelming number of places to ride. Road biking, mountain biking, path cruising, dirt jumping and downhill; you name it, …

Route: Perimeter trail, and then some Start/End: Intersection of Colorado Hwy 9 and Water Dance Dr/Peak One Circle/CR 1004 in Frisco, Colorado Season: Spring – Fall Difficulty: Beginner, compared to most trails in Summit County, Colorado When I was recently searching for info on the development of the Frisco/Summit County …

Routes: beginner and intermediate short, top-rope routes Start/End: parking area near the Prospector Campground on the north side of Swan Mountain Road Route Access: Via a short hike from the parking area It’s open season for rock climbing on Swan Mountain Road between Breckenridge and Keystone, Colorado. Eric is the …

Yesterday, Tuesday, May 4, the Town of Frisco held a public groundbreaking for new construction taking place at the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area. The plans include winter and summer development, and of course, that 18-acre bike park. A few highlights of features planned for the Frisco bike park: Slopestyle Lanes: …

One of the most popular posts on the site so far has been the Black Mountain Lodge Full Moon Snowshoe Dinner piece. So I decided to pass on a few of my favorite spots for full-moon snowshoeing and let folks know about a few group tours in surrounding counties. And, …

Now that Eric and I have been skinning/snowshoeing at local resorts a few times a week, I’ve definitely picked some favorite uphill runs. The end goal is to finish the Imperial Challenge, so in order to make it before the time cutoff, I want to make sure my lungs and …

I’ve gotten some questions about the Peaks Trail, one of my favorite trails in Summit County, Colorado. So here’s an overview of what I’ve discovered. A longer version will be published soon at goColorado.com, so I’ll post the link when the article goes online. Trailheads With a trailhead in Frisco, …

“I’m too old for that.” I heard it a lot this weekend at the Rocky Mountain Division Mogul Competition in Breckenridge, Colorado. Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31, parents and spectators looked on as folks waist-high to full-grown launched down the moguls of Mach 1 and gracefully flipped themselves …

As a Louisiana native, I have memories of Mardi Gras and parades that date from early childhood. And I’ve seen Mardi Gras pictures of our entire family dressed as clowns, costumes hand-made by Mom, that date back before my memory developed. Now that I live in Colorado, I’m a little …

Route: Top of Peak 10 via Sundown, in Breckenridge Start: Beaver Run End: 9 Restaurant Season: Winter, silly In winter I work on the mountain at Breckenridge, and the one thing I can never complain about is the view. Our shack sits halfway up Peak 9, with the town of …

Yes, we need snow, but I won’t argue with the sunshine we had toady. Not so during the recent holiday season … December 25: As a hefty breeze whips white stuff from the trees and the wind chill hovers something around -30, I rejoice that such weather waited until Christmas to show its …

Stuck between a rock and a hard place? Not even close. Climbing guide Eric Zerowin sets anchors high above the shores of Lake Dillon, in Dillon, Colorado, as his two guests absorb the views. The late-morning sun shines brightly in the blue sky, and it’s too early in the day …

It’s called Gatherhouse, after the glassblowing term of gathering, or collecting molten glass from the furnace. Here at this Frisco, Colorado studio and gallery, the name seems to have a second meaning. Minutes ago I was helping stretch an orange and yellow gob of hot glass into 15-foot rod, no …

I enjoy skiing and snowboarding at A-Basin so much I bought a hat. So it’s no surprise that on an early-season weeknight, bored out of my mind, I would cruise arapahoebasin.com searching for any info on when new terrain will open. Knowing full well that winter needs to really arrive …

“Just turn!” says boyfriend. Tears well up in girlfriend’s eyes. “Just turn … like this,” says boyfriend, who proceeds to demo the move. Anyone who skis or snowboards in Summit County (or anywhere in Colorado) has probably witnessed this scenario more than a few times. They’ve watched the scene explode …

For a mere $20 get food, 3 beer tickets and a door prize ticket. But we heard the stories from last year’s inaugural event, which apparently involved plenty of swag flying from the stage. Expect Breckenridge and Summit County residents as well as supporters from across the state. Colorado Avalanche …

Free coffee is quickly becoming a Breckenridge tradition on opening day eve. If you live in Breckenridge, or maybe anywhere in Summit County, you probably picked up your free coffee and mug this morning. What local doesn’t have a collection of Wake Up mugs? Comments comments